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Friday, November 30, 2012

Blurb:

The battered survivor of an abusive marriage, Angela doesn't mourn her husband’s death in a drug deal gone bad. But she’s not sure she can survive losing her heart to the handsome detective who assumes she’s a criminal, too.Tasked with Angela’s safety after she’s targeted by an unknown enemy, Jake discovers the beautiful widow is not what she seems. He soon realizes that trusting her goes hand-in-hand with desiring her, and passion and duty collide.Now it’s up to Jake to keep Angela—and their chance at happiness—alive.

Excerpts:

Excerpt 1:
The kitchen scene I blogged on my site, and the recipe for Pear-Hazelnut Tarts -- the link to the recipe can be found on my website.
What am I doing? Angela raced to the refrigerator and opened the door to test the firmness of the dough, taking time to clear her mind from the sensual daze induced by Jake’s kisses.
Heat scorched her cheeks. If the timer hadn’t gone off, would she have let him take her right there on the table? She sprinkled flour onto the counter and placed the dough on it, forming it into a square.
“Can I help?” Jake’s husky voice drifted over her sensitive nerves as he came up behind her and heat radiated from him as he positioned himself at her back.
She pushed hair from her face and reached for the rolling pin, not looking at him. She felt like a gazelle being stalked by a lion.
“No, I’ve got it, thanks.” She rolled the dough into a rectangle, before folding the short ends over the middle to make three layers. Turning the dough a quarter turn she rolled it away from her into another large rectangle.
“That looks complicated.” Jake placed an arm at each side of her, then gripped the counter and peered over her shoulder. Effectively caging her in, his warm, minty, breath feathered across her face. “Explain to me what you’re doing. I might like to make it for my son sometime.”
Her hands trembled when she folded the short ends over the middle again to make another three layers. Normally, she’d place the dough back in the refrigerator at this point for another twenty minutes, but if she worked fast enough she could skip that step. And she wanted to get this done as soon as possible and put some space between her and Jake. Afraid she would throw herself back into his arms.
She glanced over her shoulder and met his heated gaze. His eyes smoldered with banked lust. “Seriously?”
He nodded, watching her with a predatory gleam in his eyes.
She took another shaky breath and glanced back down. “Okay. It—it’s a simple recipe really. I’m making dough for Pear-Hazelnut Tarts. I’ll write it down for you.”
“That’d be great.” His body pressed up against her.
Angela gulped. “Well—well, first you prepare the dough, then you need to wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about half an hour.”
“Uh huh.” He leaned in and nuzzled her ear. “Refrigerate the dough. Got it.”
Her mind went into lockdown. Nothing but silence and sexual tension filled the room.
“I’m listening,” Jake brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Flour,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.
“Oh.” Her body was wound tight and desire pooled in her belly, and her breasts felt heavy and aching with the need to be touched. A tremor ran through her.
She gave the dough another turn and again folded the ends over. “After you remove the dough from the refrigerator, you need to roll it flat, and shape it into a large rectangle, then fold the short ends over the middle so that it makes three layers.” She demonstrated it for him, although she didn’t really think he was paying attention.
“Right. Three layers,” he repeated. One hand slid to her stomach, tugging her closer.
Angela’s pulse raced. “Umm. Repeat this four times,” she managed to say. “The dough needs to remain firm, if not . . . if not, put it back in the refrigerator for another fifteen minutes before continuing.”
“Mmm, sounds like a lot of work.”
She gave her shoulders a little shrug to loosen his arms from around her. “Some space here, please,” she said, breathlessly.

Excerpt 2:
Jake tore his mouth from hers. His gaze scorched her with their heat, molten hot. “You drive me wild.”
He unfastened the first three buttons of her shirt and slowly slid the fabric from her shoulders and down her arms, until it pooled at her waist. A shiver of anticipation rolled through her, tightening her nipples. She licked her lips and stared into his darkened gaze.
His eyes flamed with desire. He leaned down and kissed the tops of her breasts. First one, then the other, then sucked a sensitive nipple into his mouth, sending a shockwave of pleasure to the apex of her thighs.
“Jake,” she purred.
He lifted his head and their eyes locked. “I love the way you say my name.” His hand slid to the inside of her legs and caressed a path of fire to the part of her that wept for him.
“Say it for me, Angel,” he whispered.

About The Author:
Cheryl Yeko lives in Wisconsin with her husband Patrick. She loves to read, write, play piano and spend time with her grandchildren.
Although she has spent most of her professional life as a legal assistant, she can also include realtor, small business owner, and virtual assistant/mobile notary to her varied background. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America as well as the Wisconsin Chapter.
Cheryl is thrilled to be able to add author to her resume and would love to hear comments from readers.

When Milo Mitchell falls for the beautiful, tuxedo-clad guy she found wandering her family's rural Colorado property, she never dreamed he was a scout from another galaxy, or that their relationship would leave him with an impossible choice: eradicating humankind, or initiating the end of his own people.

Nick's job is finding the elements his people need to power their elaborate interweb of minds. Being a scout means he is capable of traveling to other planets on his own. It also means that, unlike The Rest, he has access to primitive feelings and individual desires. For eons, he was part of the whole, but when he encountered Milo, his obsession with her changed everything.

Nick's partner, Vera, is capable of independent thought, but not compelled by it. She is satisfied with her existence as one of The Rest, and she won't agree that humans are worth sparing; not when their planet has a precious cache of the gold her people need so badly.

While Vera tries to force Nick into endorsing an Earth invasion, working behind the scenes to tie his hands, and the Department of Defense lays a trap for them with Milo's mom as bait, Nick and Milo are waging their own war - against a primal desire that can only lead to one thing: heartbreak.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thank you for having me on your blog today.
I'm truly honoured to be here with all of you!

How many people do you know that make jokes
about their GPS device or even talk to it?

Nearly everyone, right?

GPS devices know where you are and how fast you
are driving. Who says that, in the near future, they won't be able to know you
look at and what you say.

These thoughts form the basis of my new
release, GPS WITH BENEFITS, in which a womanizer purchases a new GPS device,
not knowing that it has a mind of 'her' own.

"The inspiration for GPS WITH BENEFITS
came to me when I was in the car with a friend," Vanessa says. "We
made jokes about the GPS device and imagined what it would be like if the GPS
was actually aware of what the driver was thinking. I immediately knew that
these ideas could be turned into a hilarious story."

I won't reveal more, but GPS WITH BENEFITS has
some twists and turns that you won't see coming and that will have you laughing
out loud.

Your
turn... What's the weirdest or funniest thing a GPS has ever done to you?

By
the way, if you leave a comment on this post, you'll automatically be entered
to win an Amazon Gift Card of $25.

About the author:

Vanessa Morgan is known as the 'female version
of Stephen King'. Her screenplays, A GOOD MAN and GPS WITH BENEFITS, are
currently being turned into movies. She is also the author of the books DROWNED
SORROW and THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. If she's not working on her latest
supernatural thriller, you can find her reading, watching horror movies,
blogging, digging through flea markets or indulging in her unhealthy obsession
to her cat. She writes in English, Dutch and French.

About her latest release, GPS WITH BENEFITS

In GPS WITH BENEFTIS, a womanizer purchases a
new GPS device, not knowing it's one with a mind of 'her' own.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Friday Finds is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading where you show off all of the great books you have come across in some way or another during the week.

I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately so was perusing Amazon for some lighthearted books to try and get my mojo back and come across these two which managed to interest me enough to add to my ever growing TBR list (click on the cover to go to Goodreads):

Synopsis:

For cat lovers everywhere, this sweet, quirky, and delightful romance is about a young woman and her matchmaking cat. A little bit of mystery, a whole lot of whimsy.

When a matchmaking cat takes it upon himself to find his young mistress a new mate, he accidentally stirs up memories better left forgotten.

Melody’s husband was murdered by what seemed a random act of violence. Two years later, the killer hasn’t been caught, and Melody is coping in unhealthy ways. During the day she’s a mild-mannered children’s librarian, but at night she’s a party girl, hanging out in bars, drinking with new friends, and often bringing home strange men. Although acquaintances have tried to keep in touch, Melody has cut herself off from most of the people in her old life. Max, her eccentric cat, doesn’t approve of her new friends, he’s tired of the parade of losers, and he finally takes it upon himself to find Melody a new man.

Synopsis:Candice Gunderson and her purebred pooch, Phoebe, are driving through the Indiana countryside on their way to an appointment with a dog breeder. If all goes as planned, the “meeting” with Charles the Conqueror will result in a lovely litter of puppies.

Unfortunately, Candice is hopelessly lost, the GPS in her car has gone haywire, and she needs to find a bathroom in the worst way. The pair pulls up alongside a little house in hopes of finding some helpful inhabitants.

What she finds is Bull Ramsey, a cute farmer, and his mutt, Jack, who is more than happy to have a “meeting” of his own with Phoebe.

Candice is determined to maintain control of the situation and prove she is an independent woman. A few unexpected events and mischievous farm animals won’t interfere with her plans. She can handle this, right?

Daryl Beasley collects all things Maxine Marie, whose famous curves and fast lifestyle made her a Hollywood icon for decades after her tragic death. Daryl’s girlfriend, Loretta Stevens, knew about his geeky lifestyle when they started dating, but she loves him, quirks and all.

Then one day Daryl chooses to buy a particularly tacky piece of memorabilia instead of Loretta’s birthday present. Daryl ends up in the doghouse, not only with Loretta, but with Maxine Marie herself. The legendary blonde returns from the dead to give Daryl a piece of her mind—and a haunting obsession he’ll never forget.

My Thoughts:
This was quite an amusing story of a celebrity obsession going way too far.

The main character, Daryl Beasley is huge fan of classic movie starlet Maxine Marie. So much so that instead of buying his current girlfiend Loretta a birthday present he buys yet another piece of Maxine Marie memorabilia

Daryl soon finds out that this new object is actually haunted by Maxine's ghost and at first he thinks he's hit the lottery. The girl of his dreams who's been his obsession for years has just become real!

As things progress, Daryl soon discovers that dreams can turn into nightmares when Maxine's obsession with him turns deadly.

The character of Maxine Marie is clearly based on Marilyn Munroe and this story is something that is scary enough but almost realistic enough to happen if you believe that spirits can become trapped within certain objects.

It's a very fast paced and easy read that keeps you interested from beginning to end. A definite must read for fans of supernatural fiction.

But Rover isn't called Rover anymore: he's called Rufus. Or Lola, according to the Tumblog Hipster Puppies. In fact, all Top Ten Dog Names are people names. And the canine Rufus doesn't stay home alone all day; he goes to Doggie Daycare. Eats brightly frosted martini-shaped doggie treats. Wears designer tutus. Gets married on the beach. Has...

Well, you'll see. With hilarious full-color photos throughout, Rabid holds a humorous mirror up to our dog-centered society, helping us laugh at our own behavior and at the even-more-insane antics of all those other dog people.﻿

Ok, so it's probably no secret that I am a little obsessed with dogs (especially my fur-child Beagle, Evie) so as soon as I saw this book in one of the latest Shelf Awareness newsletters I couldn't wait to add it to my TBR list.

Monday, November 12, 2012

I am excited to be a part of the Release Day Blitz and Giveaway for Make It Last by Bethany Lopez!

Blurb: Make it Last

In a small town, it's hard to recover from being dumped by your high school sweetheart. That's just what Briana has to do after Colin leaves her to follow his dreams. She focuses her energy into her friendships and the pursuit of her own goal of becoming a chef. Just when she finally feels like she's on the right path, he comes back to town.

Colin knew breaking up with Briana before leaving for college was the right thing to do. He was determined to leave small-town life behind forever, and that included his high school girlfriend. But when a sports injury puts him on the sidelines, he's forced to return home. Seeing Briana again brings back a lot of memories, and Colin wonders if he made the right decision. It doesn't take long for him to realize he wants her back, and this time, he wants to make it last.

Author Bio:Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novel. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series, Stories About Melissa. Ta Ta for Now!, xoxoxo, and Ciao are available now. Bethany is currently working on a Contemporary Fantasy YA and a Contemporary New Adult Trilogy.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It is a great way to make new friends and gain followers.

Here is this weeks question:

Q: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, retellings or pulled-to-publish fanfic?

Well the short answer to this question is a big "Yes!". I get bored very easily if I'm reading a book that isn't original in any way or just seems to be a different style of retelling of another book I've previously read.
The whole point of writing is to get your own story or point of view out there into the public eye, not to steal someone else's concept and try and get credit for writing about it yourself.
Of course there will always be similar 'themes' in books such as vampires, murder, romance, etc, but when the whole plot of a story seems to be following in the same fashion as another I get really annoyed.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Synopsis:'There are some places in this world that go far beyond any normal definition of “haunted.” These places are so evil, so diabolical, that they become gateways to Hell itself. The Fuller Farm is one such place.

It is said that old man Fuller conducted unspeakable acts, blood rituals and human sacrifices, all in an attempt to gain the ultimate knowledge, the ultimate power. And then, he was killed–horribly murdered on his own lands, leaving the house to stand as a vacant monument to his wickedness. But once a door is opened, it can never really be closed.

Now, the stars are right. The gateway is ready to once more unleash unspeakable horror upon the town of Harmony, Indiana. And this will be one Halloween that they will never forget!'

My Thoughts:
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I haven't read a horror novel in quite some time and as it used to be my favourite genre to read I was quite excited when the opportunity to read this one came along.
Spook House, which is my first ever Michael West novel, had just the right amount of horror mixed in with an interesting storyline that kept me totally intrigued and turning the pages as quick as I could to the very end (well, as much as pages can be 'turned' on a Kindle anyway!)
In my opinion this story was so well written and didn't have any of that immature or 'cliche' feel that I've noticed a lot of horror stories seem to have. It also had a plotline that didn't seem to be so totally far out unbelievable and there was even a scientific aspect within the story to back the events up which I thought was a great touch.
The two main characters, Sheri and Robby, were very realistic and likeable people and I really enjoyed the interactions between them and how they developed as the story moved along.
This is not your typical horror story where multiple characters are being bumped off left, right and centre for unexplained reasons. This story has a bit more depth and contains just the right amount of gore that fits well within the plotlines and doesn't feel unnecessary as you continue reading.
Overall, if you're a fan of a good horror story that isn't immature or predictable then I definitely recommend reading Spook House. I can't wait to try some other Michael West novels now!

About the
Author:

Michael West is the critically-acclaimed author of The Wide Game, Cinema of Shadows, Skull Full
of Kisses, and The Legacy of the Gods series. He lives and works in the
Indianapolis area with his wife, their two children, their bird, Rodan, their
turtle, Gamera, and their dog, King Seesar.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book
for review from Seventh Star Press author as part of a virtual book tour. I was
not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I
have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal
Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements
and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Expected publication: November 20th 2012 by Beacon Press (first published March 12th 2012)

Source: Edelweiss

Synopsis (Be warned, it's a long one...):'From the time she is nine years old, biking to the farmland outside her suburban home, where she discovers a disquieting world of sleeping cows and a “Private Way” full of the wondrous and creepy creatures of the wild—spiders, deer, moles, chipmunks, and foxes—Lauren Slater finds in animals a refuge from her troubled life. As she matures, her attraction to animals strengthens and grows more complex and compelling even as her family is falling to pieces around her. Slater spends a summer at horse camp, where she witnesses the alternating horrific and loving behavior of her instructor toward the animals in her charge and comes to question the bond that so often develops between females and their equines. Slater’s questions follow her to a foster family, her own parents no longer able to care for her. A pet raccoon, rescued from a hole in the wall, teaches her how to feel at home away from home. The two Shiba Inu puppies Slater adopts years later, against her husband’s will, grow increasingly important to her as she ages and her family begins to grow.

Slater’s husband is a born skeptic and possesses a sternly scientific view of animals as unconscious, primitive creatures, one who insists “that an animal’s worth is roughly equivalent to its edibility.” As one of her dogs, Lila, goes blind and the medical bills and monthly expenses begin to pour in, he calculates the financial burden of their canine family member and finds that Lila has cost them about $60,000, not to mention the approximately 400 pounds of feces she has deposited in their yard. But when Benjamin begins to suffer from chronic pain, Lauren is convinced it is Lila’s resilience and the dog’s quick adaptation to her blindness that draws her husband out of his own misery and motivates him to try to adjust to his situation. Ben never becomes a true believer or a die-hard animal lover, but his story and the stories Lauren tells of her own bond with animals convince her that our connections with the furry, the four-legged, the exoskeleton-ed, or the winged may be just as priceless as our human relationships.

The $60,000 Dog is Lauren Slater’s intimate manifesto on the unique, invaluable, and often essential contributions animals make to our lives. As a psychologist, a reporter, an amateur naturalist, and above all an enormously gifted writer, she draws us into the stories of her passion for animals that are so much more than pets. She describes her intense love for the animals in her life without apology and argues, finally, that the works of Darwin and other evolutionary biologists prove that, when it comes to worth, animals are equal, and in some senses even superior, to human beings.'

My Thoughts:
Well I have to admit I mainly picked this book to read because of my love for animals of all kinds and especially because of my love for dogs. I don't know why but I was expecting a happy story revolving around the author's love for and life with animals but I was left feeling slightly disappointed as to how depressed the book actually made me feel in the end.

So much of it was just sad and very bleak and I really had to bribe myself to push on and continue reading to the end. There was also a lot of overly descriptive writing that did have a tendency to go a little overboard and drag on quite a bit. This also made it extremely hard to keep on reading without wanting to skip several pages ahead just to get to the point or see what was going to happen next.

There are some good points made in this book about animals not just being stupid creatures that are incapable of feelings like human beings which I admit I was pleased about as this is something that I have always tried to get across to friends and family who don't share the same love for animals that I do. I just felt like I was reading more an extract from a diary rather than being told a story which I wasn't really a big fan of.

I don't know what else to say except that I'm sure this book will appeal to a specific audience that love to read these types of stories, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I prefer to read happier books these days that allow me to escape from reality and feel good while I'm reading rather than read those that make me ponder on how bad things could really get in life. This probably sounds like I'm a bit blinded to some but it works for me.

Evie the Bookish Beagle

About Me

I'm a happily married Aussie mum who lives with a menagerie including a husband, a dog, two cats, a duck and some fish. I love all things beauty as well as reading, cooking, gardening and scrapbooking.